The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-12
Tn. I.nuence OF zoroa.,riani.m.

Rabbi NJ. SamRcld delivered an interest
ing lecture nj the Jewish temple last
Friday night, being the last Of n series Of
lectures on "Zoroaster and Parseeisn."
After giving an outline of the religious
practices Of the Parsces and OF the func-
tons Of their priests, the magis, pr. Sam
field continued to discourse upon the
points OF contact and points Of resemblance
between Ioroastrianism, Judaism and
Christianity. Ioroastrianism, constituting
complete system Of religion at least
900 years BIC, can certainly claim
priority 10 talmudic doctrine and the
christian religion. The lecturer stated
that IL had puzzled many an inquiring
mind how the doctrine of the resurrection
VI the body aud the belief In n spiritual
rcdccincr and personal devil could possibly
evolve from Judaism. and from thence be
introduced into Christianity as an essential
part thereof.
The Old Testament does furnish but
lew faint evidences of the belief in the
resurrection. aud the 10 called mcSianic
prophecies refer evidently 10 political
rdccmer, and no entirely free from al.
lusions to yicarious atonemcnt and mcdi-
atophip Of the Messiah.
Equestrian influences give the solution
90 this problem. The trinity OF the god
head was already announced In Persian
theology 500 years before the birth Of
Christ, in the triad oi Ieryan, OrmuSi and
Mthra. Alithm II the saviour in the
IOroastfian faith, the incarnRtc son Of God,
the rcdcemer II fallen man. Thus the Jews.
during their domicilc IN Persia, came in
possession " the material ont of which the
spiritual pdcemer of christianity was CON
slrurtcd later. The 1hmud aud Cabalistic
literature IL full Of evidences showing the
influence Ot Ioroastrinnism. The appear.
ancc 81 the magis nj the nativity Of Christ
j. not merely accidental. The celebration
Of Mithm's birthday ON the 18th Of De-
ccmbcr In IL concurrence with the cclc-
bration Of Christmas Is remarkable, ~ n,
also, the celebration 81 the feast Of
lights on the 2hth Of kislcv among the
Jews. Zouastrianism emphasizes also the
second advent oi Mithm, when he will
raise the dead, Judge the world and sep
araic the righteous from the wicked. The
name devil Is evidently derived frOm the
Icnd word dove, meaning evil spirit. The
dualism of good aud evil powers Is clearly
set forth In the Icnd Avcsta. The Old
Testament knows nothing Of evil spirits;
the Jews in Babylon aud Persia, through
foreign influences, are believers In demon
ology. The Mithmic cult and mysteries
include among their ceremonies baptism,
communion service with the holy bread
called draona. There is also y resemblance
between the chronology Of the jews and
that OF the Pcieians. Tho lecturer then
gave several more Illustrations OF thepolnts
of resemblance between the customs and
ceremonies oi Jews and christians with
those Of the rances. lie said that mod.
crn Jews In giving up the belief
In the resurrection OF the body,
personal devil mud many other inn
ported doctrines OF Equestrian origin
do hut return 10 the purity Of prophctism
and cndeayor Ia purity their faith from
pagan influences. AZ their ancestors were
instrumental In furnishing early christian
ity with Impure foreign supersii,ions, they